Looting in S. Venezuela leaves 1 dead, over 60 arrested

One person was killed and over 60 people were arrested on Friday after hundreds looted various supermarkets in Venezuela's southeastern city of San Felix for "political purposes", said President Nicolas Maduro.

Hundreds of people who were out shopping for scarce goods such as milk, rice or corn flour broke into a supermarket warehouse, while others destroyed a government bus and nearby shops in a rare violent event of this type in the South American nation.

"It was a planned act paid by hardline right-wing sectors and there will be justice done to those mercenaries that provoked this violent episode that left one innocent person dead," said Maduro in a televised broadcast.

He called on people to be alert against this type of events, saying a special security operation will be carried out in this southern region of Venezuela to "wipe out" mercenaries and paramilitaries.

State governor Francisco Rangel of the ruling Socialist Party said the looting was politically motivated.

"A group of armed motorcyclists arrived and said they were going to loot certain establishments. I'm sure it wasn't spontaneous but rather planned with a political motive," said Rangel.

Gustavo Patinez, a 21-year-old local vendor, died of a gunshot wound to the chest, reported the local newspaper Correo del Caroni.

Shortages of basic staples have been common in this South American nation since last year and long lines have caused tempers to flare at supermarkets and grocery stores.

Maduro laid the blame on opposition leaders and businessmen, accusing them of launching an "economic war" against his government by raising prices and hoarding goods. Endi